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What is Imposter Syndrome and why does it happen? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: What is imposter syndrome and why does it happen?
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  SPEAKER_00: So many people experience imposter syndrome, especially when starting a new job or role.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, it can also be experienced in relationships, in schools, or at home within family dynamics.
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  SPEAKER_00: Imposter syndrome is not a mental illness or disorder, but rather a mixture of personality traits.
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  SPEAKER_00: How we judge our own abilities and skills depend on how encouraging and nurturing our formative years were.
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  SPEAKER_00: And how others speak to us in our current lives and on our journeys through different jobs is also a big factor as we navigate life.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: Our imposter syndrome can form at any time in our lives.
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  SPEAKER_00: We can really internalise any negative comment or criticism we've experienced, and it becomes our own dialogue really.
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  SPEAKER_00: But we all fail at some things at some times.
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  SPEAKER_00: We cannot be great at everything.
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  SPEAKER_00: And failure, as I see it, is always an opportunity for growth, learning and improvement.
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  SPEAKER_00: So imposter syndrome is fuelled by fears, the basic fears that I'm not good enough or I'm not worthy or I don't deserve anything good.
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  SPEAKER_00: This can be paired with a competitive environment sometimes, like a target-based sales office, for example, or sports at school.
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  SPEAKER_00: And these competitive environments only intensify that imposter syndrome.
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  SPEAKER_00: So imposter syndrome has been broken down into five different types by a doctor called Valerie Young.
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  SPEAKER_00: She's a co founder of the Imposter Syndrome Institute, so it is a thing.
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  SPEAKER_00: Number one, the perfectionist.
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  SPEAKER_00: This is someone who measures competence by flawlessness and when they fail to meet their own high standards.
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  SPEAKER_00: Every time they fail, it reinforces their belief that they're not good enough.
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  SPEAKER_00: Number two, the expert.
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  SPEAKER_00: The expert measures competence by how much they know.
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  SPEAKER_00: But no matter how well educated you are or well trained, there is always more to learn as a human being experiencing life, which makes it really difficult for the expert when they're asked a question they don't know the answer to.
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  SPEAKER_00: The gap in their knowledge is evidence they should not be in their position.
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  SPEAKER_00: No one can know everything though.
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  SPEAKER_00: three the natural genius.
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  SPEAKER_00: So the natural genius struggles when something takes them longer than expected or they have to put an increased amount of effort in.
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  SPEAKER_00: This to them is a sign of inadequacy rather than a normal part of learning.
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  SPEAKER_00: four the superhuman.
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  SPEAKER_00: So the superhuman good being good enough is not enough.
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  SPEAKER_00: They have to be great.
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  SPEAKER_00: Not only do they have to be great at work, they need to be great as a partner, a lover, a husband, a wife, a part you know, just a father, mother, I mean we hear this a lot in motherhood actually, uh with new mothers, isn't it?
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  SPEAKER_00: It's not good enough.
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  SPEAKER_00: So if they if if the superhuman fails at any aspect of their life and they're not exceptional, this can lead to them feeling like a failure.
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  SPEAKER_00: And burnout is a common consequence of this type of imposter syndrome.
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  SPEAKER_00: And number five, the last one, the soloist.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I can actually identify with this myself.
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  SPEAKER_00: So you don't like to ask for others for help, otherwise, it means you failed, you're not able to do something on your own.
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  SPEAKER_00: Um the core belief here is needing help means that you're just not good enough to do it on your own.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I hope this is I hope this has been a good insight for you into imposter syndrome.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's a very real thing, and it's even been broken down into five things.
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  SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, I hope it's been helpful and thank you for listening.